Posted in Montana Hiking, Nature April 12, 2022 by

9 Hikes In Montana For Mere Mortals That Lead To Mystifying Destinations

Some Montanans are seasoned hikers, scaling steep hills and trekking through canyons like it’s nothing. And then there are the rest of us, the mere mortals who prefer hikes to be a little more realistic. If you enjoy the great outdoors but you’re more of a novice than a pro, you’ll want to check out the following trails, which we think are some of the best hikes in Montana!

1. Redrock Falls, Glacier National Park
Trevor L / alltrails.com
You'll find this 3.5 mile trail near East Glacier, and it's a nice, easy path with plenty of enchanting scenery. Because it's an easier hike, it gets busy during the summer, so go early if you want to avoid the crowd.
Redrock Falls, Montana 59417, USA
2. Cap Rock Trail, Makoshika State Park
Makoshika State Park / TripAdvisor.com
The most popular trail in Makoshika State Park is about 2.5 miles in length and takes you past the beautiful badlands you'll only find in Eastern Montana.
Makoshika State Park Road, Makoshika State Park Rd, Glendive, MT 59330, USA
3. Drinking Horse Trail, Gallatin National Forest
Michael Rutledge / alltrails.com
To drink in (see what we did there?) some seriously beautiful views of Bozeman and Bridger Canyon, hike this 2.2-mile trail.
Drinking Horse Hill Trail, Montana 59715, USA
4. Phipps Park Trail, Billings
KT McKenna / alltrails.com
This scenic trail is perfect for both humans and horses... and at 3 miles in length, it's an easy hike. The first part involves a steep incline, but the rest of it is much easier.
Phipps Park, 6790 Molt Rd, Billings, MT 59106, USA
5. Main Rattlesnake Trail, Missoula
Chelsea Frison / alltrails.com
This beautiful trail is open year-round, and it's great for all skill levels. The main trail splits off into several different side trails, so this hike can be as short or as long as you'd like it to be.
Rattlesnake Trail, Missoula, MT, USA
6. Virginia Falls, Glacier National Park
Grace Nguyen / alltrails.com
This three-mile trail in Glacier takes you to a stunning waterfall and is more of a stroll than a hike, but it's so scenic that you'll want to walk slowly.
Virginia Falls, Montana 59417, USA
7. Skookum Butte, Nezperce National Forest
Jessi E / alltrails.com
This scenic hike does involve quite an uphill climb, but the views on this 3 mile trail are totally worth it. If you go during summer, you'll see some beautiful wildflowers.
US Forest Service Butte-Jefferson Ranger District, 1820 Meadowlark Ln, Butte, MT 59701, USA
8. Chicago Peak & Cliff Lake Trail, Kaniksu National Forest
Daniel Mitchell / alltrails.com
You'll find this three-mile trail in the Cabinet Wilderness, and you'll be amazed by the views of the alpine lake and peaks. You've got a good chance of seeing wildlife in this area, so be prepared.
Kaniksu National Forest, Clark Fork, ID 83811, USA
9. Beehive Creek Trail, Gallatin National Forest
April Westervelt / alltrails.com
This 1.5-mile, out-and-back trail is somewhat of a hidden gem located near Ennis, though you'll feel like you're a million miles away from everything.
Gallatin National Forest, Montana 59027, USA

These might be some of the best hikes in Montana, but our state has so many stunning trails to choose from! These hikes, for example, are all under five miles, and showcase some of the best scenery in the Treasure State!

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The OIYS Visitor Center

Best hikes in Montana

April 17, 2022
Sarah M.

What are some of the best sunset hikes in Montana?

There’s nothing quite like lacing up your boots and going for a hike in the beautiful Montana wilds. No matter where you’re located in Big Sky Country, you’re sure to be near someplace scenic and worth exploring! And if you time it right, you’ll also catch an incredible sunset. So we put together this list of trails that lead to stellar spots for enjoying a sunset. The Four Dances Trail in Billings is a 2.6 mile loop trail boasts some of the most beautiful views in Montana, and hitting the trail just before sunset feels positively magical! If you're up for a challenge, the Lake McDonald Trail in Glacier National Park is a bucket-list trail for many. If you've ever seen Lake McDonald at sunset (or sunrise!), you know why this hike would be amazing. The entire trail is over 13 miles in length, but you don't have to hike the whole thing to get a great workout with gorgeous views!

What are the most scenic trails in Montana?

Pretty much every trail in Montana offers scenic vistas, but there are some that go above and beyond. This list has some of our favorite scenic trails in Montana, and it includes treks such as the Lava Lake Trail at Gallatin Gateway, the Grotto Falls Trail, the Heart and Pearl Lakes Trail in Superior, Maclay Flat Nature Trail in Missoula, the The M Trail in Bozeman, and the Trout Creek Canyon near Helena. If you're looking for trails with amazing scenic payoffs, the Redrock Falls Trail in Glacier National Park is a perennial favorite. This gorgeous 3.5-mile hike has a little bit of everything: Wildlife (take your bear spray), lush, green forest, and a waterfall. It's not too strenuous, but it does stay snowy well into late spring here, which makes this a picture-perfect trek for summer!